2021: A Year In Review and What’s Ahead
It’s hard to believe, but tomorrow, we will say goodbye to 2021 and welcome a new year. For CCE, 2021 was full of excitement and challenges. From starting our own school to breaking ground on our new campus, we have much to be proud of. And we’re not stopping there; in 2022, we will continue to grow and take on new endeavors.
In 2021, we accomplished a lot. Here are a few of the highlights:
A Year In Review
- In January, we started a K-3 elementary school called The Foundations School. Our curriculum integrates arts into academic subjects, which gives students new approaches and perspectives to learn. We also place a heavy emphasis on building a strong literacy foundation, something that is extremely lacking in schools across Palm Beach County and the state of Florida.
- In Palm Beach County, only 54% of third graders are reading on grade level. In the area that CCE serves, that number is closer to 25%.
- In January, just 8% of our students were reading on grade level. At the start of August, that number had risen to 27%. Now, at the end of our first calendar year, 50% of our students are reading on or above grade level.
- In November, we broke ground on our new campus, opening next year at 2400 Metrocentre Boulevard in West Palm Beach. The project will include a renovated building that will house administrative offices and The Foundations School and a new building that will serve as the Arts and Science Center.
- The groundbreaking event also marked the start of our $20 million capital campaign.
What’s Ahead
While 2021 was surely an exciting year, 2022 is shaping up to be even bigger. Here are some of the events on our calendar:
- This spring, we will finish our first full academic year at The Foundations School. We’ve already achieved some of our benchmarks when it comes to reading and other academic measures, but we’re hoping to accomplish even more in the next trimester.
- One of our literacy goals was for 75% or more of our students reading on or above grade level to improve two developmental reading levels. 90% of our students reading on or above grade level achieved that goal in just five months!
- In June, we will move into the renovated building at our new campus. The move to the new location will mark the start of a new journey for CCE as we continue to expand our educational services.
- In August, The Foundations School will expand to serve 4thgrade students.
When we look back on 2021, we’re proud of our accomplishments. But we know we can do even more to serve our community and improve access to high-quality, arts-integrated education. We’re looking forward to 2022 and all the opportunities that it represents.
The CCE staff would like to wish you a restful and rejuvenating new year!
